Standardization of treatment modalities have been incorporated in the methodology with regard to ventilatory support, inotropic support and fluid management; however, as the intensive care unit at the AKUH is an 'open unit' where patients are primarily taken care of by the primary teams and a critical care consultant (of which the PI is one), strict guidelines cannot be enforced. However we have given a general range of parameters, keeping in mind the recommendations of the Society of Critical Care medicine and the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network.